The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-12-15
rREsiDENr,s mEsskGE.
[ooNtLuDED FROM FIRST pAaE.l

accordingly modified. Such reduction or
free Importation would serve. besides, to
largely reduce the revenue 1t is not appar-
ent how such change can have any inju-
rious effect upon our manufacturers. On the
contrary, it would appear TO give them bet
ter chance in foreign markets with the man.
ufacturers of other countries who cheaper
their wares by FREQ material. Thus our pco-
pie might have the opportunity of extending
their sales beyond the limits of home CON-
sumption, saving them from the depression,
interruption in business, and loss caused by
a glutted domestic market and afording
employees more certain and steady labor, with
its resulting quiet and contcntment.
NO PARTISAN SPIRIT SHOULD RULE.
1.-THE question thus imperatively presented
for solution should be approached in a spirit
higher than partisanship and considered in
the light of that regard for patriotic duty
which should characterize the action, of those
intrustei Wi ith the veal of u cOnfding people.
But the obligation to declare party policy and
principle is not wanting to urge prompt and
effective action. Both of the great political
parties now represented in the government
have by repeated aud authoritative declar-
ations condemned the condition of our laws
which permit the collection from the people
! of unnecessary revenue, and have, in the
most solemn manner, promised its correction;
| and, neither as citizens nor partisanS, are
| our countrymen in mood to c)ndone the
deliberate violation of these pledges.
Our progress toward wise conclusion
will not be improved by dwelling upon the
theories of protection and free trade. This
| savors too much of bandying epithets. 1t is
| condition which confronts us, not theory.
! Relief from this condition may involve q
| slight reduction of the advantages which We
| award our home productio Is, but the entire
withdrawal OF such adyantag es should not
| be contemplated. The question of free trade
| is absolutely irrelevant, and the persistent
| claim made In certain quarters, that all eff
| forts to relieve the people from unjust and
| unnecessary taxation are schemes of So
called free-trldara is mischievous and far re-
! moved from any consideration of the public
| good.
| s'The simple and plain duty which we owe
+, the peope il to reduce taxation to the
| necessary expenses OF an ecOuom:cal operi-
| tion of the government, and to restore Is the
| business of the country the money which we
| hold in the treasury through the perversion
of governmental powers. These things can
| 6 nd should be done with safety to all our in
| dustries, without danger to the opportun ity
! for remunerative labor which our working
! men need and with benefit to them and all
our people by cheapening their means oil
| subsistence and increasing the meaSure Qi
their comfGgts,
| i"The constitution provides that the presi-
| dent shall from time to time give to con
| gress information OF tue state of the union.
1t has been the custom of the executive, In
! compliance with this provision, to annually
exhibit to the congress. at the op1niug OF its
session. the general condition of the country,
and to detail, with some particularity, the
operations of the different executive depart
ments. 1t would be especially agreeable to
follay this course at the present time and to
call attention to the valuable accomplish
ments of these departments during the las
fiscal year. But / am so much impressed
with the paramount Importance of tho sub
teet to which this communication has thu
far been devoted that shall forego the add
tion of any other topic and only urge upol
your i'm mediate consideration the state o
the union as shOwn in the present CO ndfto
of our treasury and our general fscal situa
ton, upon which every element or our safet
and prosperity depends.
''The reports OF the heads of departments
which will be submitted, contain full and ex
, | pl1cit information touching the transaction
bf the business intrpsted to them, ana suS
| recommendations relating to legislation Il
the public interest as they deem advisable.
ask for these reports ana Recommendation
the deliberate examination and action of tn
legislative branch of the government.
, 'sThere are other subjects not embraced il
the departmental reports demanding legisla
tive consideration, and which / should
+ glad to submit. Some of them, however
have been earnestly presented in previou
. messages, and as to them | beg leave to re
peat priop rcaommendati9ns
"As the law makes no provision Tor any n
port from the departments Of state, q brie
history of the transactions of that importau
+. department, together with other ma
tiers which 1t may hereafter bo deeme
| essential to commend to tue attention of til
congress- may furnish the occasion for a fl
a ture communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND"
D "Washing gton, Dec. g. 1887"